For our study of the Great Depression and the New Deal, we have participated in the Day in the Life of a Hobo project. Below you will find creative stories we have written that allowed us to assume the identity of a tennage hobo during the Great Depression. Also below are some creative projects we completed that further reflects our understanding of this era. Also below you will find a PowerPoint on the Great Depression and the New Deal.
Miss You
by Jeremy Griffin
Hi Mom and Dad, it’s James, I wish I was back home with you guys in Kansas.
It’s three days after my 16th birthday and I really wish I had gotten to spend it with
both of you. I’m now on my way to California to try and find a job out there. If I
happen to find one you guys will be the first to know, and I will send money as soon
as I can. Today I was in the train yard, and I was running from the bulls , you know
the police that patrol the railroad stops. I hopped on a train heading toward
California, so I’m going to try my luck there , and hopefully things will be better for
me there than they are back at home in Kansas. I know dad is unable to work
because of the paralyzing car accident, and the only reason I left was to help you
both out with some cash. I really don’t want us to all be homeless. I stopped at my
first jungle yesterday and slept the night there. All the people there were really nice
and they took care of me as if I were one of there own. They all noticed I didn’t have
anything but the clothes on my back and a small pocket knife. It has been really hard
for me to find food lately, I have been doing small jobs for food, but they don’t give
me much money, I’m really hungry. A nice old man shared his roll and meatloaf with
me, he saw how hungry I was. But don’t worry about me I know how hard it is at
home for you guys and I’m going to help as soon as I get to California. My plan is to
get a steady job so I can send back money every week to both of you guys. Last week
was kind of hard, Jim and I were caught by the bulls when we were pulling into the
station and they threw us both in jail. But it actually was nice to sleep in a bed for
the first time in awhile. I heard about the CCC camps, I’m sure you guys know what
those are, they help teenagers get jobs, you know President Roosevelt started them
I think that I might try to go to one of those if thing’s out in California don’t work for
me, anyways I’m going to keep looking into it. The trains I have been riding have
been packed full of kids. Many of them are in a similar situation as me. I have met
so many people from all over the country, even a boy from Kansas, the other side of
the state from us. So many trying to do the same thing as I am, just trying to get by.
It has
me so far, but I think I’m beginning to adjust. I am physically so worn out from lack
of real sleep, I’m hoping to reach California by tomorrow, today has been quite an
emotional day as Jim has decided to head back to Kansas, he just couldn’t hang
anymore. I’m really going to miss his company I’m now on my own and alone here ,
I’m going to try and rest a bit before I hop on my last train to California . I miss you
guys greatly, and I hope to be home soon. I will keep writing you , I love you both,
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOBO HISTORICAL FICTION STORIES
Timmy's JourneyHariet's Diner
Jack and Me
Walter Junior
The Jungle Journal
Popcorn
Your Angel
I Had No Choice but to Leave
Sink or Swim
Caleb's Journal
Off On My Own
Leaving Lowell
Dodging the Bulls
I Can Never Go Back
CREATIVE PROJECTS
Bearing the Years (by Luis)Where to Go? (by Becca)
Surviving the Rails (by Alex)
Helping Hands (by Maddy)
Packing Out (by Jaci)
Stuck (by Tyler)
Life Turned Upside Down (by Emily)
Miss You
by Jeremy Griffin
Hi Mom and Dad, it’s James, I wish I was back home with you guys in Kansas.
It’s three days after my 16th birthday and I really wish I had gotten to spend it with
both of you. I’m now on my way to California to try and find a job out there. If I
happen to find one you guys will be the first to know, and I will send money as soon
as I can. Today I was in the train yard, and I was running from the bulls , you know
the police that patrol the railroad stops. I hopped on a train heading toward
California, so I’m going to try my luck there , and hopefully things will be better for
me there than they are back at home in Kansas. I know dad is unable to work
because of the paralyzing car accident, and the only reason I left was to help you
both out with some cash. I really don’t want us to all be homeless. I stopped at my
first jungle yesterday and slept the night there. All the people there were really nice
and they took care of me as if I were one of there own. They all noticed I didn’t have
anything but the clothes on my back and a small pocket knife. It has been really hard
for me to find food lately, I have been doing small jobs for food, but they don’t give
me much money, I’m really hungry. A nice old man shared his roll and meatloaf with
me, he saw how hungry I was. But don’t worry about me I know how hard it is at
home for you guys and I’m going to help as soon as I get to California. My plan is to
get a steady job so I can send back money every week to both of you guys. Last week
was kind of hard, Jim and I were caught by the bulls when we were pulling into the
station and they threw us both in jail. But it actually was nice to sleep in a bed for
the first time in awhile. I heard about the CCC camps, I’m sure you guys know what
those are, they help teenagers get jobs, you know President Roosevelt started them
I think that I might try to go to one of those if thing’s out in California don’t work for
me, anyways I’m going to keep looking into it. The trains I have been riding have
been packed full of kids. Many of them are in a similar situation as me. I have met
so many people from all over the country, even a boy from Kansas, the other side of
the state from us. So many trying to do the same thing as I am, just trying to get by.
It has
me so far, but I think I’m beginning to adjust. I am physically so worn out from lack
of real sleep, I’m hoping to reach California by tomorrow, today has been quite an
emotional day as Jim has decided to head back to Kansas, he just couldn’t hang
anymore. I’m really going to miss his company I’m now on my own and alone here ,
I’m going to try and rest a bit before I hop on my last train to California . I miss you
guys greatly, and I hope to be home soon. I will keep writing you , I love you both,
take care,
James